Liquid dispenser with a resilient wall pump



July 31, 1951 l nl. w. KRALI.

LIQUID DISPENSER WITH RESILIENT WALL PUMP Filedv May 16 1946 ea W. [fra/7 INVENTOR.-

BY A

ATTORNEY.

Idispensed contents. Another object is to provide a positive closure for the discharge outlet which is permanently Patented July si, 1951y UNITED ys TATES PATENT OFFICE LIQUID DISPENSER WITH .A RESILIENT WALL PUMP 17 Claims. (Cl. 222-207) This invention relates to fluid dispensers with ya resilient .wall pump, and more particularly to a combined closure .and pump-type dispenser for liquid containers. .character yare on the market, but they have many objectionable features, such as outlets which readily clog, pumping mechanisms which .are complicated and difficult to operate, and. container 4air vents which lreadily vleak or .become clogged. This invention provdesa combined dispenser and container closure which noton'ly overcomes the disadvantages of Vknown mechanisms, but also because of -other improvements generally is more satisfactory and usable.

It, therefore, is an object of this invention to provide a dispenser with .an outlet that is sub- 'stanti-ally clogproof when dispensing substances which do not now readily `and which solidify on drying, such e. g., as catsup. f

It is another obgiect of this kinvention to provide a pumping mechanism 'for a dispenser 'which is simple in construction and vrequires little effort on the part'of the user to operate.

It is a further object of this invention 4to '-provide a dispenser with a simple yair vent iiorthe container which will not leak if the containeris tilted or inverted, `which at .all times preventsthe escape of vapors therefrom, and yet readily functions yto admit air to the container to replace the attached to the dispenser and is convenient =to operate. v

Still another object is to provide a dispenser in which the discharge outlet is .not preformed, but may be conveniently opened by .the user, 'thus allowing 'leakproo'f shipment of a container and its contents-with the'dispenser attached. i

Other objects and .advantages of the invention Will appear in the following description and faccompanying drawings, in which.

Figure l is a cross-'sectional plan view of my dispenser taken on line -I-I of Figure y2.;

Figure 2 is 4a cross-sectional view in .elevation taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a, fragmentary vcross-sectional `view of a rmodiiied form of vpositive closure'for the 'discharge outlet, n

'Figure 4 is a rear elevational view of the-dispenser. .E

.Figure 5 is a perspective view of the positive closnreelement of .Figures l, 2, and 4.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of la modied :form `of dispenser, partially broken away to show de.-

Numerous devices of this tails of themeans for. formingthe discharge outlet.

.Referring now to Figure 2 of the drawings, there is show'nra dispenser, indicated generally at .lfconnected .to a container 2 ready yfor use. An .annular cap member .3 has lower interior threads engaged-with exterior threads 5 on the neck 6 of the container 2.y Snugly mounted in the upper end of the capmember 3V is afcompressible dome-shaped resilient bulb l, preferablyof rubber. The base of the bulb I has an annular exterior flange 8 -seated in an annular interior groove 9 in the cap member 3. T-he ange 8 has an inclined upper .edge cooperating with a correspondingly inclined edge of the groove 9 for more .rmly retaining the bulb I in the groove 9. vThe walls of the bulb kI are `progressively thickened from its apex I0 to ,its base, to provide for greater flexibility. Because of'this feature, less `finger pressure is required on top of the bulb I to compress -it inwardly, in order vto dispense the vcontents of the container 2 as will be described. later. y h 1 l,

A short :distance above the annular -flange 8, at one side of the bulb 1, is `a discharge aperture II formed in the .wall of the bulb. An annular groovej I2 lmay bejformed in the inner wall of the bulb 'i around the ,aperture I I -to add iiexibility to the wall of the bulb adjacent the aperture/,An

annular projecting rim or lip, I3 may be formed on the vexterior side of the aperture II to pro- Vvide `some stiffness to the walls of the aperture to prevent its possible collapse in use. Neither the annular groove I2 nor the projecting lip I3, however, are essential Vto the satisfactory operation .The upper .portion of the cap member 3 yis provided kwith .an opening Ifl aligned with 'the discharge aperture I I to allow Vuninterrupted iiow for the material discharged through the aperture.. .The diameter of the open- .ing I4 Ain vthe cap 3 is greater Vthan that of the `'annular projecting .rim L3 of thel aperture II,

in order to permit outward movement of the adtiracent lwall of .the bulb 1 at this point, as will-be described later.

vThe cap member y3 has an interior .annular .groove i5 :in the plane. of the .opening .I4 4as best .shown in Figure v1. A'sl'ot I6 ,in the cap 3,'opens into the groove I5 at a 'point removed from the opening ,|4. The Vslot I6 tis ,shown diametrically opposite vthe opening I4, but this is notfessential. Rotatably mounted inthe groove I 5 is an arcuate closure'member I'I, best Ishown in Figure 5 having an V:operating tongue through the slot IB. The .ends I9 and .2010i the I8 :which projects closure member I1, in its open position shown in Figure l, lie on either side of the projecting rim I3 of the aperture II. Clockwise rotation of the closure member I1 from the position shown in Figure 1, by means of the operating tongue I8, slides the end le over the discharge aperture II, forming an effective seal with the projecting lip A partition member 2|, best shown in Figure 2, has an annular flange 22 provided with a downwardly sloping upper surface which cooperates with a correspondingly sloping surface on the base of 'the bulb. These surfaces form a seal between the partition member 2| and the bulb 1 and serve to seat the bulb more firmly in the annular groove 9 inthe cap member 3. The diameter of the flange 22 is somewhat less than the diameter of the groove 9, thereby forming an annular chamber 23. The partition member 2| has an upstanding annular wall 24 which forms an annular channel 25 between the wall 24 and the lower portion of the wall of the bulb 1. The annular channel 25 is interrupted by a projection 26 on the exterior of the wall 24 having a flat Vouter face for firmly seating against the wall of the bulb 1 surrounding the discharge aperture II. Mounted in an annular groove 21 formed Yin the inner side of the base of the wall 24 is an may be seen that the bulb 1 and the partition member 2| dene a chamber 32. Manual depression of the bulb 1 causes a pressure rise in the chamber 32 which urges the ap valve 29 into seated position over the passageway 3|). At the `same time, lthe pressure forces the wall of the bulb 1 surrounding the discharge aperture II slightly outward between the open ends I9 and 2|! of the vclosure member I1 and into the opening I4 in the cap member 3. The outward movement of the wall unseals the inner end of the aperture II and fluid is forced therethrough.

The seal for the inner end of the discharge aperture II is shown as a projection 26 on the annular wall 24. The same result may be ob- -tained by providing a projecting rim on the inner end of the aperture I I and having it seat against the annular wall 24, in which event the projection 26 would not be required.

An important feature of my invention is the leakproof vent or air inlet means which allows air to be drawn into the container 2 to replace dispensed fluid. The partition member 2| has a centrally located, depending frustro-conical wall 33 surrounding the passageway 30. An annular depression 34 is formed between the frustroconical wall 33" and the flange 22. Mounted in the groove 9 in the cap member 3 'is an annular resilient sealing washer 35 adapted to be clamped between the flange 22 on the partition member 2| and the lip 36 surrounding the mouth of the container 2. When the dispenser I is attached to a container, the inwardly extending portion of the washer 35 covers the depression 34 and forms an annular chamber 36. The inner margin of the washer 35 acts as a lcheck valve bearing against a seat formed by the depending frustroconical wall 33 of the partition member 2|. The

'under side of the annular iiange 22 on the partition member 2| has a series of radial grooves 31 affording communication between the annular chambers 23 and 36. The cap member 3 has an air vent opening 38 in communication with the chamber 23'. In operation, the dispensing of fluid causes the pressure in the container to fall somewhat below atmospheric pressure, and air ows through the vent opening 38 into the annular chamber 23, through the grooves 31, and into the annular chamber 36, where the air unseats the inner margin of the washer 35 and enters the container 2.

A modified form of a positive closure for the dispensing outlet is shown in Figure 3. Threadably mounted in the opening I4 in the cap member 3 is an annular closure element 39, the inner end of which releasably bears against the wall of the bulb 1 surrounding the discharge aperture II. After assembly of the closure element 39 with the cap member 3, the inner marginal edge of the closure element may be turned radially outward to provide an annular flange 40 for preventing complete withdrawal and consequent possible loss of the closure element. Screwing the closure element 39 inwardly causes its inner end to bear against the wall surrounding the aperture II and press the wall into sealing engagement with the projection 26, thus positively sealing the discharge aperture against leakage.

A modified form of dispenser outlet of this invention is shown in Figure 6. Here the closure member I1 has been omitted for simplicity of illustration. The annular wall 24 has a projection 4| which, instead of having a relatively large flat outer surface to seat against the linner end of an outlet aperture, tapers to a somewhat sharpened point. The Iprojection 4| presses against the wall of the bulb 1 and pushes the wall slightly outward as shown. Before use, the wall has no preformed discharge aperture II, as shown in Figure 6. The user of the dispenser I forms a discharge aperture in `the wall of the bulb 1 by inserting a suitable pointed object, such as a wooden toothpick or the like, through the opening I4 and forcing it against the wall of the bulb, thus compressing the wall between the object and the projection 4I and punching an outlet or discharge aperture in the wall. Because the wall was stressed before the aperture was formed, the projection 4I will extend partially into the aperture to form a seal therefor. The operation of this type of outlet is otherwise similar to that described for the outlet shown in Figures l and 2. A pressure rise inthe chamber 32 forces the wall of the bulb 1 surrounding the punched discharge aperture out of sealing engagement with the tapered end of the projection 4| to dispense fluid through the aperture. This modification of my invention is particularly desirable where the dispenser `is used as a closure for a container during shipment. The lack of a prepunched discharge aperture results in less likelihood of leakage of the contents while the container is in transit. A further advantage is that after the aperture has been punched, the projection 4| extends slightly into the aperture and provides a spray type discharge'during the dispensing operation.

The cap member 3 shown in Figure 6 also is slightly modified. The cap member has a pair of diametrically opposite upstanding ears 42 on either side of the opening I4. The ears 42 serve to protect the bulb 1 against accidental depression and discharge of the contents of the container.

The operation of the dispenser I is obvious from the above description. The cap member 3 is attached to a container with the tube 3| depending intothe fluid to be dispensed. After opening acca-3 if? the closure member l1 or 39, the container 2 is grasped in one hand .and the 'bulb 1 depressed by a finger. Depressing 'the bulb, for the initial use of the dispenser, causes a pressure 4rise in the chamber 32 closing the ap valve 29 and unseal- `ing the discharge aperture Il, thus discharging air `from the chamber. Release of the bulb 1 causes a negative pressure in the chamber 32 which combined with the resiliency of the wall about the discharge aperture I I allows the inner end of the aperture to seat'flrmly against the projection 26, thus sealing the aperture. The negative pressure also opens the ap valve 29 and draws fluid from the container'Z through the tube 3l into the chamber 32. The withdrawal of fluid from the container 2 causes a negative pressure above the fluid therein, thus sucking air through the air vent opening 38, the annular chamber 23, the grooves 31, .and the annular chamber 36, where the air unseats the inner margin of the washer 35, and passes into the container 2. lAgain depressing .the bulb 1 dispenses the fluid in the chamber 32 through the aperture Il. The short length of 'the discharge aperture ll allows very little, if any, residual remnants of the dispensed fluid to remain therein Iupon release of the bulb 1. This feature combined with the factfthat vthere are no movable elementsfsuchas ball check valves, in the discharge outlet, renders the outlet substantially clogproof. If the outlet should become clogged, it readily may be reopened-by the insertion therein of a small pointed object such as a pin or the like. The air vent check valve formed by the washer 35 and the wall 33 not only is leakproof, but also prevents escape of the vapors of such volatile uids, as perfumes. It will thus be seen that I have provided a simple yet improved and effective combined closure and dispenser.

While I have `described specific forms of my invention, it will be realized that various changes and modications in the specific form, construction, and arrangement of parts may be Vmade without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Accordingly, the scope of the invention is dened in the following claims.

Ifclaim: 1. A fluid dispenser adapted to be applied to a container comprising: means defining a, fluid receiving chamber -for detachable connection to a container, said chamber being provided with a resilient wall, said wall having a rst portion movable inwardly to reduce the size of said chamber and a second portion provided with a discharge aperture, sealing means for said aperture arranged interiorly of said chamber, said second wall portion being Anormally in engagement therewith, conduit means providing for passage of fluid from the container to said chamber, and -a check yvalve positioned to control the passage of iuid through said conduit, said `second wall portion being adapted to be .moved outwardly from engagement vwith said sealing means to allow fluid to be discharged through said aperture'whenv said iirst wall portion is moved inwardly of said chamber.

wall portion intoengagement with -the sealing 4. A uid dispenser adapted to .be applied to a container opening comprising: means connectable to the container, resilient bulb means carried by said connectablemeans `the said bulb means having a discharge aperture, partition means adapted to bepositioned between said bulb means and the container opening and together with said bulb means defining a fluid receiving chamber, said partition means having a passageway for 'the flow ofV fluid from the container to said chamber, la check valve for controlling the a container opening and having a dispensingoutlet and pump means for drawing fluid from said container and dispensing it through saidoutlet, air vent means for the container comprising: a member adapted to be positioned over the container opening having a passageway therethrough for the flow of fluid from the container to the pump means, a downwardly and inwardly extending wall depending fromsaid member, resilient sealing means interposed between said member andthe lip surrounding .the container opening and .having an inwardly extending portion normally. seating against said wall, and air inlet grooves formed between the outer margins of said sealing means yand said member. -A

6. A uid dispenser adapted to be applied to a container opening comprising: means connectable to the container, resilient bulb means carried by said connectable means, partition means adapted to be positioned between said .bulb means and the container opening and together with said bulb means defining a fluid receiving chamber, said chamber being provided with a dispensing outlet, said partition means having a depending frustro-conical portion provided with a central passageway for flow of fluid from the container to .said chamber, said portion being provided with radially extending outer marginal grooves in its lower surface, said connectable means having an air inlet opening in communication with said grooves, a check valve positioned to control the oW of fluid through said passageway, and resilient sealing means adapted to be interposed between said partition-means and the lip surrounding the container opening, said sealing means .having a central circular'opening the annular margin of which normally seats against `said bulb means defining a fluid receivingchamber, said flange having radially extending marginal grooves formed in the lower surface thereof, said annular sleeve element having an air inlet opening in communication with said grooves, said member having an upstanding portion projecting into-said chamber adjacent said discharge aperture, said lower portion of said bulb means about said aperture normally being in seating engagement with said upstanding portion and being adapted to be moved away therefrom by pressure developed in said chamber, said partition member also having a depending frustro-conical portion provided with a central passageway connected to a conduit, said conduit being adapted to depend into the fluid in the container, and a check valve positioned to control the flow of iiuid through said conduit and said passageway into said chamber, the inner marginal portion of said washer normally being in seating engagement with said frustro-conical portion and being adapted to be unseated in order to vent the container.

8. A fluid dispenser adapted to be applied to a container comprising: means defining a fluid receiving chamber provided with a dome-shaped resilient wall, a lower portion of said wall having a discharge aperture, a closure member for said aperture substantially surrounding the base of said wall and rotatably mounted thereon for opening and closing said aperture, and conduit means providing for one way passage of fluid from the container to said chamber.

9. A fluid dispenser adapted to be applied to a container comprising: annular means connectable to the container having an interior annular groove and an opening through a side thereof in communication with said groove, dome-shaped resilient bulb means carried by said annular means having a discharge aperture in a lower portion thereof aligned with said opening, and an arcuate closure member mounted in said groove and adapted to be rotated into position to cover and to uncover said discharge aperture.

10. The structure set forth in claim 9 including a radially extending operating tongue on the closure member projecting through an opening formed in the annular means at a point spaced from said first mentioned opening,

11. A fluid dispenser adapted to be applied to a container comprising: annular means connectable to the container and having an opening ,Y

through the wall thereof, resilient bulb means carried by said annular means having a discharge aperture aligned with said opening, sealing means for said aperture arranged interiorly of said bulb means, and an annular closure member threadably engaged in said opening, the inner end of said closure member being adapted to releasably press the wall of said bulb means about said aperture into engagement with said sealing means.

12. A fluid dispenser adapted to be applied to a container comprising: means defining a fluid receiving chamber provided with a resilient wall, said wall having a first portion movable inwardly to reduce the size of said chamber and a second portion adapted to be moved outwardly upon inward movement of said first portion, means arranged inwardly of said second portion having a projection against which said second portion normally bears, said projection being adapted to pierce said second portion and form a discharge aperture upon forcing said second portion there.- against, and conduit means providing for one way passage of fluid from the container to said chamber.

13. A fluid dispenser adapted to be applied to the mouth of a'containeras a closure therefor comprising: means defining a uid trap chamber adapted for detachable connection to the container mouth, a portion of the wall of said chamber being resilient, movable outwardly, and provided with a discharge aperture; means within said chamber defining a sealing surface for the inner end of said aperture, at least the marginal portions of said wall portion about said aperture being normally in sealing engagement with said surface; means dening a passageway providing communication between said chamber and the interior of the container; a check valve associated with said passageway and operable to admit fluid into said chamber from the container, whereby upon development of fluid pressure within said chamber said marginal portions of said resilient wall portion are forced outwardly of said sealing surface to unseal said aperture and permit discharge of uid therethrough.

14. A fluid dispenser adapted to be applied to the mouth of a container as a closure therefor comprising: means dening a fluid trap chamber adapted for detachable connection to the container mouth, a portion of the wall of said cham, ber being resilient, movable outwardly, and provided with a discharge aperture; means within said chamber defining a sealing surface for the inner end of said aperture, at least the marginal portions of said wall portion about said aperture being normally in sealing engagement with said surface; means defining a passageway providing communication between said chamber and the interior of the container; a check valve associated with said passageway and operable to admit fluid into said chamber from the container, whereby upon development of iiuid pressure within said chamber said marginal portions of said resilient wall portion are forced outwardly of said sealing surface to unseal said aperture and permit discharge of fluid therethrough; and means associated with the container-connectable portion of said chamber-defining means for Venting the container to the atmosphere to replace, with air, fluid dispensed therefrom.

15. A fluid dispenser adapted to be applied to the mouth of a container comprising: means defining a fluid trap chamber adapted for detachable connection to the container mouth, said chamber Abeing provided with a dome-shaped resilient wall portion which is movable inwardly and a second resilient wall portion having a discharge aperture therethrough, said apertured wall portion being movable outwardly; means within said chamber defining a sealing surface for the inner end of said aperture, at least the marginal portions of the apertured resilient wall portion about said' aperture being normally in sealing engagement with said surface; means dening a passageway providing communication between said chamber and the interior of the container; and a check Valve associated with said passageway and operable to admit fluid into said chamber from the container, whereby fluid pressure within said chamber, developed Vby inward movement of said dome-shaped wall portion, forces said marginal portions of said apertured wall portion outwardly of said sealing surface to unseal said aperture. and permit discharge of fluid therethrough. 1

16. A fluid dispenser adapted to be appliedv to the mouth of a container comprising: an out-.- wardly directed substantially annular collar connectable to the Vcontainer and provided with a therethrough providing communication between said chamber and the interior of the container; a check valve associated with said passageway and operable to admit fluid into said chamber from the container; and means within said chamber defining a sealing surface for the inner end of said aperture, the marginal portions of the annular portion of said bulb means surrounding said aperture being normally in sealing engagement with said sealing surface and adapted to be forced outwardly thereof by pressure developed Within said chamber to permit the discharge of fluid through said aperture.

17. In a fluid dispenser adapted to be applied to the mouth of a container and having a iiuid vtrap chamber, the combination of: an exterior 10 and the contacting portion of said exterior wall having an aperture therethrough for discharge of uid from the chamber, the inner end of said aperture being sealed by the contacting portion of said interior Wall, the inner face of said resilient wall having a portion thereof immediately adjacent said contacting wall portions exposed to uid in the chamber; and means for developing uid pressure in the chamber and thereby against said exposed resilient wall portion to force said contacting portion of said resilient wall out of contact `with the contacting portion of the other said wall, to thereby unseal said aperture and permit discharge of uid therethrough from the chamber.

y LEO W. KRALL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent: 1

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Y 694,530 Comer Mar. 4, 1902 2,088,160 Perritt Nov. 2, 1937 2,275,051 Maloney Mar. 3, 1942 2,358,329 Houghton Sept. 19, 1944 

